Rutgers South Jersey Executive MPA - A Convenient Choice for Professionals WEST WINDSOR - Experienced public managers interested in obtaining a graduate degree to advance their leadership skills and enhance their potential in the public sector are making the choice to enroll in the South Jersey Executive MPA (EMPA) Program. In its 12th year, the program is accepting applications for the Fall 2020 cohort of public sector and nonprofit professionals joining the popular program. Rutgers-Camden Department of Public Policy and Administration in collaboration with Rutgers Center for Executive Leadership in Government offers the Executive MPA Program in West Windsor, New Jersey. Designed for working professionals, the Rutgers-Camden EMPA program is taught in hybrid format with both classroom-based and online instruction. All face-to-face classes meet on Saturday mornings on the Mercer County College West Windsor campus. Working professionals find this format convenient and manageable. Mike Tracy, a 2013 EMPA graduate, comments, "As a working parent, attending night classes would have been a sacrifice to my family time. The hybrid format allowed me to pursue my goal of completing my degree while minimizing time away from my family." Dr. Angie McGuire, Graduate Program Director of the EMPA, ensures that the program design meets the unique needs of public sector working professionals. "The EMPA's location in West Windsor offers an accessible, central location for individuals, who need to balance work and personal responsibilities while earning a degree that will advance their careers," says McGuire. The EMPA is aimed at mid-to upper-level managers in the public and nonprofit sectors with five or more years of administrative or managerial experience. It provides professionals with skills and knowledge designed to enhance leadership capabilities. Chante' Gunter, Administrative Analyst with the Office of Training and Professional Development Center in the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, graduated in May with honors. "My colleagues admire my achievement, " said Gunter, who noted that advanced degrees are valued in her department. The 30-credit program uses the cohort model, with enrollment limited to 20 persons. Gunter adds, "Being in a cohort, made us supportive of one another and assisted us with staying on top of key assignments. We became a family!" Degree requirements can be completed in two years, including two one-week summer residencies. Up to 12 credits may be awarded for professional experience. Mike Tracy, a 14 year veteran of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage, adds, "Working in the public sector, I wanted to pursue an advanced degree in public administration to enhance skills that would make me a more competitive candidate for advancement within my organization." In 2014 he did advance in his career and was promoted into the Operations Division Manager position in the court system. Courses in the EMPA cover such topics as public management, leadership and communication, policy analysis, human resource management, organizational behavior, ethics, public policy, and financial management. Hybrid courses are taught by Rutgers faculty and distinguished practitioners, and feature timely, relevant information that students can put into practice. When asked if he had any advice for prospective students considering the EMPA Program, Tracy advises, "Like anything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. If you fully commit, you will have a rewarding experience and will be proud of what you accomplished." The EMPA program is offered by the Rutgers-Camden Department of Public Policy and Administration (DPPA). The Conference Center at Mercer is located at 1200 Old Trenton Road. For directions, click here. For more information about the EMPA program, visit empa.rutgers.edu, call (732) 932-6998, ext. 603, or send email to Dr. Angie McGuire at angmcg@rutgers.edu.